Vision & Sensing

Research Contents

In order to establish high-speed robot senses that are much faster than human senses, we are conducting research and development of information systems and devices that can achieve real-time image processing at 1000 frames/s or greater. As well as integrated algorithms to accelerate sensor information processing, we are also studying new sensing methodologies based on vibration and flow dynamics; they are too fast for humans to sense.

Motion-blur-free Microscope

We develop a motion-blur-free microscope for shooting non-blurred videos of moving objects by implementing a frame-by-frame intermittent tracking method with a microscopic high-speed tracking system that controls the position of the objective lens using high-frame-rate video processing.
With our tracking method, the control target alternates at several hundred hertz, according to the camerafs shutter state.
The apparent speed of the target object in the captured images is maintained at zero to suppress motion blur when the shutter is open, and the camerafs position returns to its home position when the shutter is closed.
Our motion-blur-free microscope can shoot non-blurred 512x512 images at 125 fps with frame-by frame intermittent tracking for objects moving unidirectionally.
Compared with the degradation in video that was recorded without tracking, our method reduces image degradation from motion blur 1/40 times or less without decreasing the exposure time when a 10~ objective lens is attached.
Its performance is verified by showing the experimental results from several moving scenes in microscopic view.